SportsNation Blog Archives Boston Celtics

Favorites in NBA's East?

Less than a week into the NBA's official free agency, nearly all of the big names have made their decisions. And while the Western Conference saw little movement, the East saw some deals that will certainly shake things up.

LeBron James, in case you hadn't heard, left the Miami Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Heat, though, kept Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, and added Luol Deng in the process. The Chicago Bulls picked up Pau Gasol and brought over Montenegro-born Nikola Mirotic from Spain to team with a (presumably) healthy Derrick Rose. And the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday saw Lance Stephenson go to the new-look Charlotte Hornets. (Also, let's not forget about Carmelo Anthony staying with the New York Knicks and Jason Kidd leaving the Brooklyn Nets to coach the Milwaukee Bucks.) Naturally, there are a lot of questions ...

Which team will win the NBA's Eastern Conference in 2014-15?

28%

Bulls

44%

Cavaliers

28%

Another team

(Total votes: 304,816)

Which team outside the Bulls and Cavaliers has the best shot at winning the East?

19%

Heat

3%

Nets

42%

Pacers

26%

Wizards

10%

Another team

(Total votes: 60,093)

Which of these non-playoff teams from 2013-14 will fare the best in 2014-15?

14%

Bucks

14%

Celtics

55%

Knicks

17%

Pistons

(Total votes: 36,393)

What do you make of Lance Stephenson leaving the Pacers for the Hornets and a three-year, $27 million contract?

63%

Good move

37%

Bad move

(Total votes: 60,303)

Which of these was the best signing for the team?

16%

Luol Deng (Heat)

50%

Pau Gasol (Bulls)

11%

Paul Pierce (Wizards)

23%

Lance Stephenson (Hornets)

(Total votes: 36,188)

How will Derrick Rose fare this season?

9%

Better than before his injuries

26%

Same as before his injuries

52%

Slightly worse than before his injuries

13%

Significantly worse than before his injuries

(Total votes: 55,321)

Which team will Andrew Wiggins be with at the start of the 2014-15 season?

75%

Cavaliers

25%

Timberwolves

(Total votes: 109,439)

If you were the Cavaliers' general manager, would you trade Andrew Wiggins as part of a deal to get Kevin Love?

Homecomings for former players can be bittersweet, and for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, their return to Boston was no exception. Pierce and Garnett brought a championship to a franchise that seemed to have lost its way, and the Celtics showed their appreciation for the two stars with separate tribute videos on Sunday night. For his part, Paul Pierce seemed touched:

Thank you Boston for all the love u showed for me and KG you have provided me with so many memories I will always love u

"This was the toughest game I've ever had to play," Pierce said after the game. "Tougher than any championship, tougher than any Game 7." Normally we'd doubt a statement like that regarding a game against a 15-31 team, but in this case, we get it.

Celtics' tribute to Pierce and Garnett

Who will be remembered as the better player?

63%

Kevin Garnett

37%

Paul Pierce

(Total votes: 42,529)

Should the Celtics retire Paul Pierce's number when his career is over?

79%

Yes

21%

No

(Total votes: 25,603)

Should the Celtics retire Kevin Garnett's number when his career is over?

Rajon Rondo's return

The Celtics are experiencing your typical rebuilding season, but the weakness of the Eastern Conference means they also aren't particularly far out of playoff contention. They could get a boost very soon, as Rajon Rondo will return on Friday night against the Lakers. Rondo tore his ACL about a year ago and is expected to play for about 20 minutes in his debut. And if you believe GM Danny Ainge's assessment, he's looked like his old self in practice. Rondo's name has come up in trade talks from time to time, but Celtics fans will no doubt be happy to see their best player healthy and active again.

Will the Celtics (14-26, 3 games out of a playoff spot) make the playoffs?

NBA 5-on-5: Boston Celtics

The Big Three era is officially over, with the departures of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in the offseason. With Rajon Rondo out to start the season, the Celtics need to decide the direction of the future of the team. Are the building blocks currently on the team, or is a major rebuild in order? The NBA 5-on-5 guys had their say, and now it's time for SportsNation to weigh in.

What grade would you give the Celtics' offseason?

8%

A

18%

B

30%

C

22%

D

22%

F

(Total votes: 6,613)

Which of these is the biggest question facing the Celtics this season?

37%

Who are the team's building blocks?

25%

How will coach Brad Stevens adjust to the NBA?

38%

How does Rajon Rondo fit into this rebuilding project?

(Total votes: 5,973)

Who is the Celtics' most intriguing player?

6%

Avery Bradley: Tenacious defender has improved offensively

28%

Jeff Green: With Paul Pierce gone, will Green step up?

11%

Kelly Olynyk: Skilled offensive big man

55%

Rajon Rondo: Is he healthy? Will he be traded?

(Total votes: 5,925)

Which of these bold predictions for the Celtics is most likely to come true?